O Connell factor helps Meath U17’s overcome Dublin

Well done to Barry & Martin O Connell who were involved in the Meath U17 win against Dublin yesterday. (Article from the Hogan Stand)

Meath are the inaugural Leinster U-17 football champions after they enjoyed a 3-12 to 1-13 victory over Dublin in Drogheda today.

The Royals emerged victorious on a scoreline of 1-15 to 1-10 when the two counties last met in round 1 and they repeated the trick in today’s decider to provide a much needed boost for underage football in the county.

Left corner-forward Matthew Costello took the scoring plaudits for the winners with 2-3 while his full-forward line colleague Jordan Morris chipped in with 1-3.

The impressive Ciaran Archer sent over four points for Dublin during the opening period but Meath held a slender 1-4 to 0-6 advantage at the break thanks to number 15 Costello’s first goal which arrived in the 28th minute.

Full-forward Morris bagged a second goal for the Royals straight after the resumption and a couple of quick fire points from Michael Gavin and Shane Walsh parachuted them into a 2-6 to 0-6 lead.

Dublin subsequently enjoyed a purple patch of their own, hitting 1-3 without reply to draw level.

John Foley found the back of the Meath net but Costello stopped the rot from a Meath perspective when firing his second goal in the 41st minute.

Subsequent points from Walsh, substitute Barry O’Connell, Costello and Morris (2) saw the Ronan Kearns managed outfit, who had Cian McBride sent off for a second yellow card offence late on, finish strongly to take the title.